Quins had gone down to 14 men on the half hour after Ace Tiatia was red carded for a punch on Terry Sigley, but the Gloucester team just couldn't get into the game.

Commenting after the game director of rugby Nigel Melville said: "It was embarrassing for us."

Coach Dean Ryan added: "We lacked passion which is unacceptable for a team from Gloucester. In the first half we didn't have any.

"But whether there are 15, 14 or nothing if you lack passion we can't play and by the time we found any we were too far behind and playing suicide rugby.

"Immediately after games we have not got the answers to it but it is something we have to find otherwise we are not doing justice to the club."

Match Summary:

1 min:
Quins started the stronger with Nick Easter (blind-side) making in-roads into the Gloucester defence.

2 mins:
Staunton slotted the first penalty of the game to take Quins into the lead.

5 mins:
Staunton continued to cause difficulties for Gloucester with some cross-field kicks into the corner that gave Quins both field position and scoring opportunities.

8 mins:
Harlequins stole Gloucester line-out ball five metres from the line. Staunton cut inside as play came out to the half-backs. The ball was spread wide to Tom Williams (full-back) on the far side and he dived for the line to claim the home side's first try (11 mins).

(8-0 to Quins)

12 mins:
Gloucester won a penalty immediately from the re-start and Henry Paul took the three points from the halfway line.

(8-3 to Quins)

15 mins:
Gloucester hit back with some improved play after missing out on possession during the first quarter. Cornwell won line-out ball and Gomarsall, then McRae, and Fanolua took forward-ball. Buxton joined the driving, before McRae combined well with Simpson-Daniel. Quins were caught off-side on a number of occasions as the referee played advantage. Before finally, Paul slotted the three points.

(8-6 to Quins)

20 mins:
Quins were inventive in their play as they played a deceptive re-start and made 20 metres with a tap. The frustration was hitting home and Vos and Balding squared up to each other.

25 mins:
Gloucester out together a series of moves, but just as they started to look dangerous, communication broke down and Quins were awarded a penalty as Goodridge and Boer were caught crossing.

27 mins:
Balding saw a yellow card as Quins tried to take a quick freekick.

28 mins:
Gloucester had a missed opportunity after Sigley had stolen Quins ball in open play. Cornwell was in support, as was Henry Paul, as they countered from half-way. But possession was lost.

31 mins:
Quins knocked on in midfield and Sigley took the ball, but from nowhere, Ace Tiatia swung his arm at the Gloucester tight-head and referee Ashley Rowden had no option but to show the red card.

32 mins:
Gloucester took the lead from the penalty as Henry Paul slotted another half-way kick.

(9-8 to Glos)

36 mins:
Quins replied with a Staunton kick.

(11-9 to Quins)

39 mins:
At the end of a messy and frustrating first half Staunton took another three points.

(14-9 to Quins)

Half time:

Nick Wood came on for Terry Sigley.

The second half made for bad viewing for all Gloucester fans.

46 mins:
Staunton added another penalty to take Quins into a 17-9 lead.

58 mins:
Quins scored their second try after Gloucester struggled to get out of their own half. Mel Deane made good yardage from inside centre to take play up to the Gloucester 22. The ball came out on the short side, and prop Mike Worsley found himself in space with Simon Keogh in support. The right winger made the most of the over-lap and scored his side's second try. Staunton converted.

(24-9 to Quins)

63 mins:
Gloucester started to pressure in the Quins 22, but could find no way through. Simon Keogh scored his second of the day when he intercepted a Simpson-Daniel pass close the touch line. Staunton converted.

Harlequins made a number of substitutions, and Gloucester replaced Gomarsall with Alex Page.

(31-9 to Quins)

80 mins:
Quins secured the bonus point when replacement hooker James Hayter went over for a try from a driving line-out. Staunton converted.

Fly-half Billy Burns was named Man of the Match after the 35-14 European Rugby Challenge Cup victory over Stade Rochelais on Thursday evening, and was full of praise for all his team mates for the win after a short turnaround.

Gloucester have been in good form in recent weeks, but Backs Coach Tim Taylor knows that the Cherry and Whites will have to be at their best on Thursday evening (kick off 7:45pm) against a Stade Rochelais side flying high this season.

Speaking to GRTV after the bonus point win over Bristol, back row Lewis Ludlow revealed that despite a tricky first half, Gloucester backed their skills to come through, a faith that was evident in a strong second half showing.

Willi Heinz scored Gloucester's second try as the Cherry and Whites overturned a disappointing first 40 minutes and 0-6 half time deficit, to earn a 26-18 Aviva Premiership victory over Bristol Rugby on Saturday.

Gloucester's much changed side had to overcome conceding an early try on Thursday evening, but responded in style to down Stade Rochelais by 35 points to 14 in the European Rugby Challenge Cup and set up a mouthwatering return fixture next weekend.

After taking 11 points from their last three games in the Aviva Premiership, including bonus point wins against Wasps and Bristol, Gloucester will be looking to continue their good form when they welcome La Rochelle to Kingsholm.